Steel 1146 · supply condition · default condition
Steel 1146-HR
Properties of the HR condition, compared with the other 1146 tempers.
Cheapest standard stock for machined parts and weldments where surface finish and tolerance are not critical.
What is 1146-HR?
1146-HR is 1146 supplied in the HR condition — cheapest standard stock for machined parts and weldments where surface finish and tolerance are not critical. 1146-HR has a yield strength of 325 MPa (47.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 585 MPa (84.8 ksi) — weaker than 79% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). 1146-HR has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F).
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 68/100, better than 95% of steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 49 W/m·K (28.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 83% of steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 10 % IACS, better than 82% of steel grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
- Low strength — 325 MPa (47.1 ksi), worse than 79% of steel grades
1146-HR properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1146-HR — 10 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 1146 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
1146-HR has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F).
Mechanical13
1146-HR has a yield strength of 325 MPa (47.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 585 MPa (84.8 ksi) — weaker than 79% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
1146-HR is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 49 W/m·K (28.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 83% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.7 µm/m·K (6.5 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
1146-HR conducts electricity at 10 % IACS, better than 82% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 87% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 1146-HR takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 2 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability7
1146-HR's machinability is good (68/100, better than 95% of steel grades); weldability poor (28/100); formability poor (32/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 1146 tempers and conditions
1146 is also supplied in 5 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 1146 overview.
- HRDefaultCheapest standard stock for machined parts and weldments where surface finish and tolerance are not critical.325 MPa yield · 170 HB
- Q&TChoose when the finished part needs 700–900 MPa strength with useful ductility, e.g. shafts, studs, gear blanks.590 MPa yield · 22 HRC
- CDPick for turned/screw-machine parts needing tight tolerance, straightness and higher yield without heat treatment.565 MPa yield · 197 HB
- NormalizedUse to homogenize grain size and mechanical properties after forging or before hardening.345 MPa yield · 179 HB
- AnnealedSoftest condition; use for maximum ductility before heavy forming or to relieve prior cold work.300 MPa yield · 156 HB
Working with 1146-HR
Is 1146 easy to machine?
Excellent turning and screw-machine behavior — sulfides break chips; run 20–30 % faster than 1045 and expect good tool life with carbide.
Can 1146 be welded?
Poor: 0.45 % C plus 0.10 % S invites hot cracking and hard HAZ — preheat 200–260 °C, low-hydrogen consumables, PWHT, or avoid welding entirely.
Can 1146 be formed, bent or molded?
Limited cold formability, strongly directional because of sulfide stringers; hot forge 1100–1200 °C and normalize afterwards.
What surface finishes work on 1146?
No inherent corrosion resistance — oil, phosphate-and-oil, black oxide, zinc or nickel plating; sulfide inclusions can leave small pits on high-polish surfaces.
1146 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| C | 0.42 – 0.49 | 0.46 |
| Mn | 0.7 – 1 | 0.85 |
| Sresulfurized for free machining | 0.08 – 0.13 | 0.1 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | — |
| Sinot specified for 11xx bar; typical residual | ≈ 0.2 | 0.2 |
| Fe | balance | — |
1146-HR — frequently asked
What is 1146-HR used for?
1146-HR is typically used for threaded shafts and studs, pinions and gear blanks, screw-machine fittings, couplings and collars, bushings and spacers and hydraulic valve spools. In short: resulfurized carbon-manganese bar.
What is the yield strength of 1146-HR?
1146-HR has a typical yield strength of 325 MPa (47.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 585 MPa (84.8 ksi) — weaker than 79% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is 1146-HR easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (68/100, better than 95% of steel grades). Excellent turning and screw-machine behavior — sulfides break chips; run 20–30 % faster than 1045 and expect good tool life with carbide.
Can 1146-HR be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (28/100). Poor: 0.45 % C plus 0.10 % S invites hot cracking and hard HAZ — preheat 200–260 °C, low-hydrogen consumables, PWHT, or avoid welding entirely.
What surface finishes work on 1146-HR?
No inherent corrosion resistance — oil, phosphate-and-oil, black oxide, zinc or nickel plating; sulfide inclusions can leave small pits on high-polish surfaces.
Can 1146-HR be formed, bent or molded?
Limited cold formability, strongly directional because of sulfide stringers; hot forge 1100–1200 °C and normalize afterwards.
What is the maximum service temperature of 1146-HR?
1146-HR is rated for continuous use to about 400°C (752 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 1146-HR and 1146-CD?
HR is the default condition — cheapest standard stock for machined parts and weldments where surface finish and tolerance are not critical. CD: pick for turned/screw-machine parts needing tight tolerance, straightness and higher yield without heat treatment. Yield strength is 325 MPa in HR versus 565 MPa in CD.
Can FabDigit make parts in 1146-HR?
Yes — 1146-HR is available for CNC machining with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- SAE J403 — Chemical Compositions of SAE Carbon Steels — SAE International (2014)
- ASTM A29/A29M — General Requirements for Steel Bars, Carbon and Alloy, Hot-Wrought — ASTM (2020)
- ASTM A108 — Steel Bar, Carbon and Alloy, Cold-Finished — ASTM (2018)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.16 — Machining (machinability ratings) — ASM International (1989)
- GB/T 8731 — (comparable Y45Mn) — SAC (2008)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.